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Brekt caught my faltering step when Nuo shifted his weight, and he smacked Nuo in the gut with the back of his hand. “Stop it, dickhead.”

Nuo lifted his palms skyward. “I’m doing nothing. I’m being civil, as you instructed.”

“You know what you’re doing. Say something. Stop staring like that.”

Maev and I halted several feet away, and Bastane’s attention roamed over her, nodding with a small smile.

Kazhi gazed into the distance, clearly not interested in the reunion, and Brekt took a long, tired breath but waited for Nuo to step up and be the first to address me.

“You’re looking worse, Bones,” Kazhi said as I tucked a near-white strand of hair behind my ear, suddenly self-conscious.

“The magic is getting stronger, harder to hold within.”

Bastane was eyeing me, too, taking in all the changes since he last saw me. “Do you feel its presence? The Ikhor?”

I shook my head. “I am the Ikhor—the magic is in me, not some evil being. I just … it’s difficult to do, but I’m learning. I’ve learned to use my emotions to guide it.”

Bastane gave me a slow, contemplative nod. “If you are having trouble with control, those exercises I taught you are a practical method of calming the mind. Could help you.”

“Have you heard anything new on your travels, Bones?” Kazhi asked.

“Nothing that you’d find useful. The Elders in Avenmae gave no indication they were aware of the Council’s plans.”

Maev fidgeted next to me.

Kazhi didn’t reply, so I cleared my throat. “Have you heard any more on Ollo? Maev’s brother.”

An air of discomfort settled over the Guards, while Kazhi shook her head. “I have been listening when I can. But I don’t know anymore. My belief is that, if he lives, he is being held hostage by Aeden Ravin. Falizha won’t be given authority over a prisoner like that.”

“Where?” Maev stepped forward, her voice cracking. “Where do I have to go to find him?”

Kazhi tilted her head to the side, an animalistic movement that sent a shiver through me.

“You will do no such thing. You would have your brother killed before you reached him. I plan to follow Aeden when he leaves Aethar lands. I will search for your brother then. In return, you two continue to do as you promised here.”

“Am I the only one aware of what you asked me?” I wondered if she’d told the truth to the others.

She wanted us to gather information to help the rebellion.

But the Elders didn’t seem to be involved in the disappearing of legacies or burning lands like the Council.

So, what could I do in Rydavas when the biggest enemy was sitting in the Guardian City?

“The boys are aware that I ferry away unwanted citizens,” Kazhi said. “And who I am working with. Who you are working with now, too.”

“We are done with the Council. We only keep our title of Guard for the good it could do the people,” Bastane added.

“Then it sounds like we are all on the same side.” I gave a pointed look to Maev, so she understood, too—we were working together.

“So what are we searching for here?” Brekt nodded to the shrine behind him.

“The Elders and aerial units have been made aware of a Guardian airship on our western shores,” Maev said, ignoring Brekt’s question. “What is the purpose of such a large presence? If you are here, where are the others?”

“Are the people here in danger?” I asked.

“Falizha brought a large crew,” Kazhi said.

“With weapons for every Guardian. The Council must be aware of the citizens living here—otherwise, there would be no mission to a land void of life. We think it’s another attack.

But we have been shut out. No one speaks to us, even those we have once considered friends.

We were told late last night that scouts are being sent out, and we will have new orders in two days’ time. ”

Maev tensed. “I will need to make sure our units are close to the villages.”

“You will outnumber her crew,” Bastane said. “If the Council is aware of your people, they would know of your aerial units, as you call them. Which leads me to believe they have other plans.”

I kept my attention on Brekt while they talked. He was growing more sour as time went on. “Enough,” he finally said. “We can consider their motives all afternoon and waste the time we don’t have before they question our absence. We came to help. What do you need of us.”

“Are you really here to help Liv?” Maev asked, cutting Brekt off again.

“What do you mean?” Brekt’s voice lowered.

“I am concerned for Liv’s well-being. The Guards and the Aspis have chased her across the world. I want to know my friend is not entering that shrine to find danger.”

Nuo grabbed Brekt by the shoulder, stepping forward, but I spoke to Maev before he could snap at her. “I appreciate your concern, Maev. They are here to help.”

“I’m only thinking of you,” she whispered. “They’re standing before us armed to the teeth, staring you down like you’re their enemy and expect you to march into the ruins alongside them. I don’t like it.”

I twirled my friendship necklace between two fingers, a warm feeling in my chest. “Thank you for being here with me today. I appreciate your concern. But the Shadow Guard won’t let any harm come to me.”

“You’re godsdamned right I won’t,” Brekt growled.

“And what about the Interrogator?” Maev glowered at Nuo. “What do you have to say?”

“I have nothing to say.” Nuo looked me straight in the eye. It was a dare.

I clenched my fists at my side. “I don’t need to hear anything, anyways.” I didn’t care that I sounded miserable. He was the friend who was supposed to worry about my safety, and it pissed me off that I still felt that way. “Not from him,” I lied.

Brekt faced the sky, already done with us.

Nuo studied the trees, giving me his profile. “And you won’t hear anything from me because I have nothing to say.”

I crossed my arms. “You mentioned. Don’t need to repeat it.”

Five seconds was all he lasted before whipping his attention back toward me. “And why should I apologize? You can apologize to me.”

“Excuse me? I didn’t ask for your apology.” I took a step forward, remembering to keep my anger in check.

“You heard me.” He pointed at me. “You’re the one who fucked up.”

“Haven’t heard this argument before,” Bastane muttered.

I shoved my hands in my pockets, where I had stuffed the crystals. I held onto one, easing the stress of magic. “How did I fuck up? I told you—I had no idea what was happening.”

“You knew damn well what was happening when you turned. Brekt was dying. You took the first chance you could and ran away with the enemy.”

“You were looking at me like I was the enemy. What was I supposed to do? Let you take me back to the Council?”

“I just expected you not to be a coward,” he spat.

It was too close to home, just like what the Eagle said.

“Liv is not a coward,” Maev interrupted.

I took the crystal from my pocket and chucked it at Nuo.

It landed with a thud in the middle of his forehead, and he hissed, clapping a hand to his head where it drew blood. “What the fuck was that.”

“A crystal. Don’t talk to me like that. And never call me a coward.”

Kazhi elbowed Brekt. “Are you going to step in here?”

He shook his head. “She can manage him.”

Nuo pulled his hand away, seeing red on his palm. “I’ll say what I want, Ikhor.”

My blood ran hot. “Shut up, you stupid idiot.”

He gave me a mocking smile. “Stupid and idiot are the same things.”

One of his dimples appeared, and I hated that the first time I got to see it after all these months was when he was mocking me.

Kazhi came to my side and grabbed a crystal from my pocket. She lifted it and threw. It landed right next to where mine hit.

“Owww-chuh. What the fuck, Kaz.” Nuo’s face fell, giving Kazhi a dumb look.

“You’re acting like children,” she said to both of us. “I’ll throw a knife next.”

Maev was to the right of me, just a few feet from where Bastane stood, and she peeked over at him. “Were they always like this?”

Bastane leaned down. “Welcome to the family reunion. We fight with each other more than with the enemy.”

“Ollo and I didn’t even fight this much.”

Bastane held out a hand to lead Maev away. “I’m very sorry about your brother. We promise to do everything we can to find him.”

They walked toward the shrine, and Kazhi took off, too, following Maev and Bastane, joining their conversation when it turned to the maps.

Brekt, Nuo and I were left staring.

Nuo’s nostrils flared. “I don’t need this shit right now,” he said before turning and walking away.

Brekt whistled. “That went much better than I thought it would. Only a drop of blood.”